Cajun Red Beans & Rice (Instant Pot Method)

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Make this cozy Cajun Red Beans & Rice in the Instant Pot with sausage in your Instant Pot! A delicious Southern classic with homemade Cajun seasoning and big flavor.

Here at Backyard Texas Grill, Pitmaster Zach Morrow knows comfort food just as well as he knows brisket and ribs. While he’s famous for slow-smoked meats, Zach also loves sharing Southern dishes that pair beautifully with anything off the grill. This lighter Cajun Red Beans & Rice is a family favorite in his Texas kitchen—made with turkey sausage for a healthier twist, but still packed with the smoky, soulful flavor folks expect down South.

A Taste of the Bayou, Cooked Texas-Style!

There’s just something about a big bowl of Cajun Red Beans & Rice that warms the heart and fills the belly. It’s humble, hearty, and steeped in Southern tradition. In Louisiana, this dish is often cooked low and slow for hours, filling the house with rich, savory aromas. But life gets busy, and when you’re craving that comfort fast, the Instant Pot becomes your best friend.

This version keeps everything you love—creamy red beans, tender vegetables, and that Cajun kick—but lightens things up with turkey sausage instead of pork. It’s the perfect balance of flavor and feel-good eating, and it fits right at home here in Texas. Serve it with a side of cornbread, or pair it with grilled chicken or smoked turkey wings for a complete Southern supper.

Homemade Cajun Seasoning

Skip the store-bought stuff—this is quick, easy, and made with pantry staples.

• 1 Tbsp paprika
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1½ tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ¼–½ tsp cayenne pepper (to taste)

Mix well and store in a small jar.
Use 1 to 1½ tablespoons of this blend for this recipe.

Cajun Red Beans & Rice Ingredients

You will find a full recipe card at the bottom, which you can print, if you like. In the meantime, here’s a look at what you’ll need to make these beans.

For the Beans:

• 1 lb dry red beans
• 12–14 oz turkey sausage, sliced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 ribs celery, diced
• ½ green bell pepper, diced (optional but traditional)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 to 1½ Tbsp homemade Cajun seasoning (to taste)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup water
• Salt & pepper, to taste after cooking

Optional Add-Ins:

• 1 tsp hot sauce (after cooking)
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce or Creole mustard
• ½–1 tsp liquid smoke for extra Texas BBQ flair

For Serving:

• Cooked rice (we used brown but you use whatever you like)
• Sliced green onions (optional)

How to Make Cajun Red Beans and Rice

NOTE: This recipe uses quick-soaked red beans. I brought a pan of water to a boil, put the beans in it, then turned the water off and covered the pan. I let the beans soak for an hour, then rinsed and sorted them for use. If your beans are unsoaked, increase cook time to 50 minutes + 20-min natural release.

1. Quick-Soak Your Beans
   Place beans in a pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Boil 2–3 minutes, remove from heat, cover, and soak 1 hour. Drain and rinse.
2. Sauté in the Instant Pot
   Turn IP to Sauté. Add a drizzle of oil and brown the sliced turkey sausage.
   Add onion, celery, and bell pepper. Cook 3–4 minutes.
   Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
3. Season It Up
   Add Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and bay leaf. Stir well to coat everything in the spices.
4. Add Beans & Liquid
   Pour in the beans, chicken broth, and water. Stir gently.
   Secure lid, set to High Pressure for 30 minutes.
5. Natural Release
   Allow a 15–20 minute natural release before opening the lid.
6. Thicken (If Desired)
   For creamier beans, scoop out about ½ cup of beans, mash with a fork, and stir back in.
   Or turn IP to Sauté for 5–7 minutes to reduce liquid slightly.
7. Serve
   Spoon over fluffy rice and garnish with green onions if desired.
   Add hot sauce to taste for extra kick.

Storage

• Refrigerate up to 4 days
• Freezes very well for up to 3 months
• Add a splash of broth when reheating if beans thicken too much

What to Expect from this Dish

You’ll feel like you’re in Louisiana when you bite into these flavorful beans. They are packed full of both flavor and nutrition and pair beautifully with the rice of your choice. Best of all, during these hard economic times they’re inexpensive and feed a crew for very little money. So, it’s a win-win! We’re happy to recommend this simple side dish, which (by the way), pairs great with a lot of our favorites, listed below.

What to Serve With Red Beans and Rice

This dish pairs beautifully with:

• Skillet cornbread (we like the jalapeno cheddar version)
• Smoked Hot Wings (we like to cook these two ways)
• Meatloaf (we’ve got a great smoked version that would be great with these beans)

If I’m firing up the grill, I love serving this alongside smoked sausage or chicken for a full Southern supper.

That’s it for this post, friends. Thanks for stopping by. If you make this delicious dish, let us know in the comments! And before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?

About the Pitmaster

Meet Pitmaster Zach Morrow, the heart (and appetite) behind Backyard Texas Grill. While Zach’s known for his legendary smoked brisket, ribs, and turkey, he’s just as passionate about the side dishes that bring folks together around the table. From cornbread on the grill to this delicious Cajun Red Beans & Rice, Zach believes good food should taste like home — hearty, flavorful, and full of Southern soul.

When he’s not tending the smoker, you’ll find him in the kitchen experimenting with new flavors, teaching neighbors how to season like a pro, or sharing one of his tried-and-true comfort meals with friends. His philosophy? Grill simple, y’all!

Learn more about Zach!